Prostate Health for Aging Adults
As a provider of in-home care in Orland Park, Home and Hearth Caregivers is always concerned with the health of all aging adults. And in recognition of Prostate Health Awareness month, which happens every September, we want to make an extended mention of the importance of prostate health in aging adults.
To that end, we’ve put together this helpful post for anyone interested in learning more about the importance of prostate health. This is an especially important issue because aging men, specifically, men over the age of 65 make up almost 60 percent of all cases of prostate cancer.
Prostate Scans and the Importance of Early Detection
As men age, it becomes increasingly important for them to schedule a visit to the doctor to conduct a prostate screening. With prostate cancer, the symptoms often don’t show up until cancer has progressed to its later stages. When cancer is in its later stages, the chances of successfully treating it go down. What’s more, the treatment needed to fight against cancer in its later stages is often much more intense than it is for cancer that’s been detected earlier.
When you should get your prostate scanned depends on your family history and your ethnicity. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, African American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer all have a higher risk for prostate cancer and should be scanned earlier than men who are neither African American nor have any family history of prostate cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Foundations guidelines say to begin screening at age:
- 40 if you have a family history
- 45 if you’re African American
- 50 if you have no family history and aren’t African American
More About Prostate Health
Currently, no data has been produced that’s reliable enough to prescribe as a method by which you can avoid prostate cancer. Still, there are certain things you can do that the experts agree will help reduce your risk of developing cancer. This includes eating a well-balanced, healthy diet, staying in shape and regularly checking in with your doctor.
Prostate Health Awareness
As a provider of in-home care in Orland Park, take it from us: prostate health in older adults is no joke. Unfortunately, prostate scanning is not something you can handle with in-home care in Orland Park but it’s very important, so spread the message to the older adults among your friends and family.